Device for supplying fabric for embroidering-machines.



J. A. GROEBLI- DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING FABRIC T0 EMBROIDERING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULYH, 19H.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

m S Q w M, y

J. A. GROEBLI.

DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING FABRIC T0 EMBROIDERING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULYII, 19!].

1,167,817, Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA r'LANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINGTON, n. c.

.stitches are being made.

JOSEPH A. GROEBLI, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING FABRIC EMBROIDERING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

Application filed July 11, 1911. Serial No. 638,010.

.To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. GRonBLI, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Device for Supplying Fabric to Embroidering- Machines, of which the following is a speci fication.

My invention relates to a device for supplying embroidering machines of the large type, with their supply of fabric, ready for embroidering.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple device for conveniently winding and transporting the fabric to the machines and applying itto the fabric rollers of the machine, in such a way that the fabric may be placed in position for operation much quicker and with less labor than heretofore. Under the complete embodiment of my invention, a single device may be employed to supply fabric to a number of embroidering machines.

In the present form of the large embroidering machines, the fabric rollers, of which there are usually four on each machine, have attained a length of even thirty feet and it is quite impracticable, owing to the size and weight of the rollers, and the intricate mechanism of the embroidering machine, to remove the fabric rollers for the purpose of providing them with a supply of fabric. It is customary, therefore, to carry the fabric by hand, to the machine and dispose it along the machine, loosely, while the edge is attached to one of the fabric rollers. The fabric roller is then turned by hand, until the fabric is reeled thereon. This operation is a very tedious and slow one, as the fabric has to be kept free of the oiled parts of the machine and the size of the fabric makes it very difficult to handle. Because of the labor and time requiredto supply the fabric to the rollers, a large supply must be placed at one time or the cost of supplying the fabric to the machine is too great. There fore it is not practical to place short lengths of fabric on the machine for special work. Furthermore, 1t is very dificult to get the fabric'on the rollers evenly, which is necessary in order. that the fabric'will reel properly from one'roller to the other, and will be'drawn evenly taut and smooth between the rollers when the embroidering I have therefore provided means for winding the sheets of fabric upon a temporary transporting roller and an arrangement for transporting the temporary roller to a position where the fabric can be reeled therefrom, upon the fabric roller of the embroidering machine. The temporary or conveying roller is caused to travel above the embroidering machine, and the one distributing mechanism may be utilized for supplying fabric to a number of embroidering machines. In employing the present lnvention, the fabric can be reeled upon the temporary roller smoothly, and

under proper tension, so that all wrinkles can be removed before the fabric is placed upon the fabric rollers of the embroidering machine. It is possible, in using my invention, to turn the fabric rollers of the embroidering machine by power instead of by hand. Y

My invention though it can be used in connection with embroidering machines now in general use, is of particular advantage when. used in connection with an embroidering machine embodying the features of my invention shown in my. Patent No. 1,116,693, dated November 10, 1914, to

which patent cross reference will be made 1 herein.

A full description of one embodiment of my invention will hereinafter be given.

Inthe drawings forming a part of this application; Fig. 1, is a side elevation of my invention, Fig. 2, is an end elevation of parts of the device, F ig. 3, is an elevation, showing the embroidering machine lengthwise, andthe device for supplying. the fabric thereto, Fig. 4, is an end elevation of one of the conveyers, Fig. 5, is a sectional view of the tambour frame of the embroidering machine showing how the fabricis reeled on the embroidering machine rollers, Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the invention.

Large embroidering machines are generally placed longitudinally side by side, with sufficient space between them, for the attendants to pass between, and I have shown two machines 1 and 2, so disposed on the floor 3, of a room. There may be as many machines as desired, arranged preferably in this order, and a single distributing system may be employed to supply a. whole row of embroidering machines with fabric, and I consider such arrangement the most economical, and the fullest embodiment of my invention. 1 have shown the embroidering "machine's consisting of end standards 4,

broidery. I have shown an upper pair con-' sisting of the roller 9, and the roller 10, arranged parallel, and one above the other, in well known manner. Below, I have shown the rollers 11, and 12, arranged in the same order. It is to these rollers that the fabrics are to be supplied, and usually the fabrics are first wound upon the lower rollers of each pair and afterward connected to the upper rollers and wound from the lower to the upper rollers as may be required. I arrange in a suitable location in a room in. which the embroidering machines are contained, mechanism for supplying the fabric to the temporary or transporting rollers and for winding and rewinding the fabric to remove wrinkles and place the fabric under tension, ready to be transported to the embroidering machine: and I preferably arrange such mechanism beyond the end machine of a row and parallel therewith.

I have shown a structure for supporting various devices which consists of end standards 13, and their bases 15, which form a structure corresponding with the length of the longest machine in the row of embroidering machines for which the device is arranged. Upon this structure I have provided a t ough 16, in which the pieces of loose fabric are deposited. to be arranged for, and transported to, the embroidering machines. This fabric usually consists of a number of long strips sewn together along their selvage edges so that their combined widths are sometimes even greater than their length, which latter runs as high as ten yards. Above the trough I have arranged a winding roller 17. which is shown journaled in standards 18. forming parts of the end standards 13. Below and preferably at right a g es to the roller 17, I have arranged a shaft 19, which I have journaled in small standards 20, on the base 15, and I have shown a loose pulley 21, and a tight pulley 22, on this shaft, whereby power may be applied from a suitable source, to the shaft. Upon the shaft 19, is arranged a pulley 23. and on the end of the shaft 24, of the roller 17, is arranged a pulley 25, over which pulleys the belt 26, travels, whereby the roller 17, is driven from the shaft 19. I have shown a foot treadle 27, mounted on a stud 29, the purpose of which is to throw the pulley 23. into contact with the disk 28, on the shaft 19, for the purpose of throwing the belt 26, into or out of operation.

Preferably 0n. the standard 13, I have fulcrumed an arm 30 at the point 31, which is arranged to move into contact with the pulley 25, on the shaft 24, of the roller 17, and a spring 32, connected with the end of this arm, and with a stationary arm 33, on the standard, tends to pull the arm 30, in contact with the pulley, whereby a braking action will be placed on the roller 17. An eccentric 34, turning on a stud 35, on the arm 33 has a handle 36, by which the eccentric is turned to cause the arm 30 to move away from contact with the pulley when it is desired to remove the braking pressure from the roller.

I have shown a plurality of transporting frames, which carry the transporting rollers, as it will be possible to save time by provlding several such frames, since one can be receiving its supply of fabric, while another is transporting its material to an embroidering machine. In the drawings three such frames, 37, 38, and 39, are shown which are preferably alike in construction; the last one 39 being shown in the act of transporting the material, while the other two are shown in position to receive the fabric. The transporting frames consist of members 40, 41, in which are journaled a pair of rollers 42, 43. The plates 40. 41, will therefore be spaced apart the length of the rollers 42, 43, which are the fabric transporting rollers, and the plates and rollers 42, 43, are preferably mounted in a horizontal line, one be-,

hind the other. The rollers 42, 43, are journaled preferably in the lateral arms 44, while the lower portion 45, of the plates 40, 41, form standards upon which the transporting frame may rest. I have arranged on each side of the preparing structure the upright studs 46, there being two shown on each side of the structure. and these are received in the apertures 47. in the plates 40, 41, of the transporting frame, when the latter is deposited upcn the structure 13 for the purpose of holding the frames in place during the winding of the fabric. The plates 40, 41. are provided with an eye 48, in which hooks of the transporting device engage.

I have provided brakes on the transporting frames for holding their rollers during the transportation of the fabric and which serve to place the fabric under proper tension when being reeled upon the fabric rollers of the embroidering machines. To the end plate 41, I have fulcrumed the arms 4 50, extending in opposite directions, and each has a projection 51, which engages against the rollers 42, and 43. and springs 52'. tend to draw the arms 49. 50, into contact with the rollers to frictionally resist the movement of the rollers, to prevent the fabric from unwinding and to place a tension on the fabric as will appear hereinafter.

where the rollers receive their supply of fabric, to a position where the fabric can be readily wound off the rollers 42, 43, upon the fabric rollers of the embroidering machines.

Upon the ceiling beams or other suitable support 53, preferably some distance above the row of em'broidering machines, I provide a device for hoisting and conveying the transporting frames. I have shown a track consisting of parallel bars 54, 55, supported by the brackets 56, depending from the ceiling. I have provided a tackle, comprising wheels 57, which rest upon the rails 54, 55,

i and are guided by the flanges 59, which straddle the rails, and in this manner the tackle is supported and guided. The tackle comprises the frame member 60, which is connected by a shaft 62, upon the ends of which the wheels 57, 58, are mounted. To the shaft 62, are secured the drums 63, 64, preferably near the ends, on which the hoisting ropes 65, 66, are adapted to wind and unwind. The shaft 62, is provided preferably at one end, with worm gear 67, while on a shaft 68 carried on one of the frame members, is provided a worm 69, which meshes with, and operates, the worm gear 67. On the shaft 68 I have provided a pulley 68, over which engages an endless belt or rope 70, which extends down far enough to be within reach of the operator. I have provided means for moving the tackle back and forth over the embroidering machines and for this purpose I have arranged the ropes 71, 72, which have their ends connected to the tackle, and extend around the pulleys 73, at one extreme end of the movement of the tackle. The ropes also extend around the pulleys 74, 75, and pass down and around the pulleys 76, which I have arranged upon the frame members 13. On these pulleys 76, I have arranged the handles 77, by either or both of which the pulleys 76. may be turned.

The ends of the elevating ropes 65, 66, are provided with hooks 78 which are adapted to engage in the eyes 48 on the transporting frame.

The operation of the device will be as follows z-A transporting frame may be disposed on either or both of the locations shown in Fig. 2, and the operator can prepare several transporting frames. Let it be assumed that the operator is preparing the frame 38. The frame is shown resting on the structure 13, with the pins 46, engaging in the apertures 47, to prevent the frame from moving. The fabric 79, is first placed, loose, in the trough 16, and the end is engaged withthe roller 17. The operator then presses the treadle 27, to throw the pulley 23 into contact with the disk 28, when the shaft 19, will cause the roller 17, to be revolved, through the belt 26, preferably in a. right hand direction in Fig. 2. The brake- 30, is first taken off the roller, by turning the eccentric 34'. When the roller 17 is re-.

vol-ved, the fabric from the trough 16, will be wound thereon, until all, or any given portion, is woundupon the roller, when the latter may bestopped by releasing the treadle 27. The end of the fabric 79, which is wound upon the roller 17 is now carried over and is engaged with one of the rollers of a transporting frame. Let it be assumed that it is carried to the roller 42, and secured thereon. The operator now presses the. treadle 80, and the roller 42, is revolved, by the belt 81, which travels over the pulley 82, on shaft 19, and a pulley 83, on the shaft of roller 42, to the left, when the fabric will be reeled from roller 17, upon the roller 42, of the transporting frame 38. If the eccentric 34, is turned down, the brake acting on roller 17 will cause the fabric to reel upon the roller 42, under tension, so that any unevenness in the fabric will be taken out in the reeling operation. The eccentric 84, on the roller 42, however, should be turned, to release the brake 50, from the roller. If the fabric, when reeled upon the roller 42, has not been placed under proper tension, or the wrinkles have not been taken out of the fabric, the treadle 80 can be released and the vtreadle 27, depressed, when the fabric, will be reeled back upon the roller 17 When so reversed, the brake 50, should be thrown out and the brake 30, thrown in. Again the direction of rotation of the rollers 17, and 42, will be reversed, and the fabric reeled upon the latter. This operation may be repeated as many times as may be necessary to get the fabric on the roller 42, in proper condition. When the roller 42, has been supplied with fabric, the operator proceeds to supply the roller 43, with fabric If the fabric first placed on roller 17; is more than required to supply roller 42, the fabric will be cut. and the end from roller 17, will be carried over to roller 43, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the fabric reeled upon the latter. The brake 30, during this operation will be thrown on, and the brake 49, of roller 43, will be thrown off. By pressing the treadle 85, the desired quantity of fabric will be reeled from roller 17, to roller 43. As in the previous operation, the fabric may be reversed in direction and reeled from roller 43, to roller 17 and back, until the fabric is properly reeled upon the roller 43. The fabric is thus furnished to the rollers 0f the transporting frame, when the latter of the transporting frames which has been provided with fabric, by turning the pulleys 76. The ropes 65, 66, are then lowered (if not already down) and the hooks 7 8 are engaged in the eyes 48, at each end of the transporting frame. The operator lowers the ropes 65, 66, by pulling therope 70, which causes, through-the shaft 68, worm 69, and gear 67, the drums 63, 6st, to unwind. When the hooks 78, have been fastened in the eyes, the operator pulls the rope 70, in a reverse direction, causing the drums 63, 64, to wind up the ropes 65, 66, when the transporting frame will be raised above the height of the embroidering machines. Ihe pulleys 7 6, are then revolved, and the ropes 71, will cause the tackle to travel along its track, carrying the suspended transporting frame therewith, until the latter comes over the particular embroidering machine which is to be supplied with fabric. The transporting frame will be lowered by pulling the rope 70, in the proper direction until the transporting frame comes to rest upon the upper portion of the embroidering machine, in which position the pins 86, on each end of the embroidering machine, will be received by the apertures 47, in the transporting frame. The end of the fabric of one of the rollers 42, d3, say the latter, is carried down as shown in Fig. 5 and is connected with the lower roller 12, of the lower pair on the embroidering machine: and the end of the fabric from the roller %2, will be carried to the lower roller 10, of the upper pair of the embroidering machine. If the embroidering machine is provided with the invention shown in my said patent, the operator, through the hand control shown therein, can set the rollers 10, 12, into operation, to reel the fabric from the rollers 4:2, 4:3, to the rollers 10, 12, but if it is not so provided, then the rollers 10, 12, will be turned by hand in the usual way. During this operation the brakes 49, 50 are preferably on so, that the fabric is reeled under tension. When the fabric has been transferred to the rollers 10, 12, the transporting frame is lifted out of the way; and the free ends of the fabric from rollers 10, 12, are carried, respectively, to the upper rollers 9, and 11, and are ready for use in the usual manner. This operation can be repeated as to any other of the machines.

It will thus be apparent that the fabric may be first wound in smooth condition, under a desired tension, upon the transporting rollers; carried to the embroidering machines in such condition, and'from the respective transporting rollers, the fabric may be readilyreeled upon the fabric rollers of the embroidering machine ready for use. The fabric is not liable to become soiled in transferring it to the machine, as it is properly held upon the conveying rollers until transferred. It will be apparent that by employing the present invention much time can be saved and the fabric can be placed on the machines in much smoother condition. By employing a single preparing device for several machines much space may be saved, the construction is less expensive, and one operator can attend to the supplying of a number of machines.

Any desired quantity of fabric may be supplied to an embroidering machine, whether a small piece for one row of embroidery or enough to last for a day.

\Vhile I have described in detail the preferred embodiment of my invention, 1 wish it to be understood that my invention is not limited to the precise details herein shown and described.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination with an embroidering machine having a tambour frame, of three rollers, the first of which rollers shall have the fabric wound thereon and held in a roll thereon, the second roller being adapted to have the fabric wound upon itself and held in a roll thereon and to receive the fabric from the first roller, and a third roller on which the fabric from the second roller is wound upon itself, after the fabric from the first roller has been wound upon the second roller, said second and third rollers being mounted upon the tambour frame and arranged to hold the fabric between them in position to be stitched by the embroidering needles and means for revolubly supporting said first roller. I

2. The combination with an embroidering machine having a tambour frame, of three rollers, the first of which rollers shall have the fabric wound upon itself and held in a roll thereon, the second roller being adapted to have the fabric wound upon itself and held in a roll thereon and to receive the fabric from the first roller, and a third roller on which the fabric from the second roller is wound upon itself, after the fabric from the first roller has been wound upon the second roller, said second and third rollers being mounted upon the tambour frame and arranged to hold the fabric between them in position to be stitched by the embroidering needles, and means for revolubly supporting said first roller independently of the tambour frame.

3. A device of the character described, in cluding embroidering machines of the type described arranged in parallel relation and having fabric rollers, and a transporting device adapted to convey fabric from a f source of supply to any of said embroidering machines, said transporting device embodying fabric rollers upon which the fabric may be wound,means for holding said rollers on the embroidering machine, and means for conveying the transporting device over said machines and into position where the fabric may be held by said holding means and the fabric reeled from the rollers of the transporting device upon the rollers of either of the embroidering machines.

4:. In a device of the character described, the combination of an embroidering machine, and a transporting device for conveying fabric in rolled condition from a source of supply to the embroidering machine, embodying a roller upon which the fabric may be wound, means for supplying fabric, embodying a trough for holding the fabric, a roller in proximity thereto and upon which the fabric is adapted to be wound from the trough, said transporting device being adapted to be brought into position where the fabric from the supplying roller may be reeled upon the roller of the transporting device, and means for conveying the transporting device into position where the fabric may be reeled from the transporting device roller upon the embroidering machine roller.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of an embroidering machine and a transporting device adapted to convey fabric from a source of supply to the embroidering machine, embodying a fabric roller for holding the fabric, means for supplying fabric, embodying a trough for holding the fabric, a roller in proximity thereto upon which the fabric from the trough may be wound, a brake for said supply roller, said transporting device being adapted to be brought into position to receive upon its roller the fabric from said supply roller, means for revolving the roller of the transporting device and means for conveying said transporting device into position Where the fabric may be reeled from the transporting roller upon the roller of the embroidering machine.

6. In a device of the character described the combination of an embroidering machine, and a transporting device adapted to convey fabric from a source of supply to the embroidering machine, embodying fabric rollers for holding the fabric, means for supplying fabric, embodying a roller from which the fabric is adapted to be wound, upon the transporting rollers, means for revolving said supply roller and said transporting rollers, brakes for said rollers and means for conveving the transporting device to a position where the fabric may be reeled from the transporting rollers upon the roller of the embroidering machine.

7. In a device of the character described,

the combination of embroidering machines, arranged in longitudinal parallel relation, transporting devices adapted to convey fabric from a source of Winding above said machines and in proximity to either of said machines, whereby the fabric may be transferred thereto, said transporting devices embodying fabric rollers, means for supplyingfabric embodying a temporary winding roller, means for supporting said transportmg devices, in proximity to the temporary roller, whereby their rollers may receive the fabric therefrom, and means for conveying said transporting devices to positions where the fabric may be reeled from said transporting rollers upon the rollers of said embroidering machines.

8. In a device of the character described the combination of an embroidering machine, means for supplying fabric, embodying a temporary winding roller, and means for receiving fabric from said supply roller and transporting it to the embroidering machine, embodying fabric rollers and end standards therefor, adapted to rest upon the embroidering machine frame and means for conveying the transporting device from the source of supply to a position where the fabric may be reeled from the transporting roller upon the roller of the embroidering.

machine.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of embroidering machines of the type described, arranged in longitudinal parallelism, means for supplying fabric, embodying a supporting frame and primary winding roller on which the fabric may be wound, a transporting device, embodying fabric rollers and standards therefor, adapted to be supported on said supporting frame and on the frames of the embroidering machines, a brake for preventing the rollers on the transporting device from turning during the transportation, a track above the embroidering machines, a tackle traveling on said track, and means for propelling said tackle on the track, said tackle having flexible means for supporting the fabric transporting devices, means for Winding and unwinding said flexible means to raise and lower the transporting device and means traveling with the JOSEPH A. GROEBLI.

Witnesses:

N. S. KURsHEEns, HENRY EGLI.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

